Like pearls on a string, these acres are spread out as individual units along the Missouri River between Kansas City and St. Louis.

The Big Muddy Refuge is planning to grow to 60,000 acres (240 km2) by buying land from willing sellers who want to see their properties set aside for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of all.

These past river conditions created a haven for wildlife, which included vast floodplain forests of giant trees, marshes, and even wet prairies.

Management has created side channels, cut down levees, and allowed the floodplain vegetation to return.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.